Semiconductor device and semiconductor device manufacturing method

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device including: a substrate including, in a central portion the substrate, n first element formation regions having a rectangular shape and are arrayed along a first direction, and n+m second element formation regions arrayed along the first direction adjacent to the first element formation regions; plural projecting electrodes formed at each of the first and the second element formation regions; and plural dummy projecting electrodes formed, at a peripheral portion, overlapping a triangle defined by a first edge of the first element formation region that forms a boundary between the first element formation region and the peripheral portion, and a second edge of the second element formation region that is adjacent to a corner of the first edge and that forms a boundary between the second element formation region and the peripheral portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of application Ser. No.15/273,151, filed on Sep. 22, 2016, which claims priority under 35 USC119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-190200 filed on Sep. 28,2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device and asemiconductor device manufacturing method.

Related Art

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2004-288725 discloses amanufacturing method for a semiconductor device in a Wafer Level ChipSize Package (WL-CSP). In this semiconductor device manufacturingmethod, first, an IC wafer is formed with bump electrodes arrayed on anactive face (front face), and a support member is applied to aperipheral edge portion of the active face of the IC wafer. Moreover, aprotective tape used during back grinding is applied over the supportmember, so as to cover the bump electrodes. In a state in which theactive face is protected by the protective tape, a non-active face (backface) of the IC wafer is ground by back grinding to make the thicknessof the IC wafer thinner. When the back grinding has been completed, theprotective tape and the support member are peeled away.

In such a semiconductor device manufacturing method, the non-active faceof the IC wafer is ground in a state in which the peripheral edgeportion is mechanically supported by the support member, such thatcracking and chipping are not liable to occur at the peripheral edgeportion of the IC wafer.

In the semiconductor device manufacturing method described above, thesupport member is applied to the peripheral edge portion of the IC waferafter forming the bump electrodes on the active face of the IC wafer.When the support member is being applied, there is a possibility thatthe support member could contact the bump electrodes and damage the bumpelectrodes. Moreover, in the semiconductor device manufacturing methoddescribed above, a process to apply the support member is required inaddition to a process to apply the protective tape, thereby increasingthe number of manufacturing processes.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device that may preventcracking and chipping at a peripheral portion of a substrate, and thatmay prevent damage to projecting electrodes.

Moreover, the present disclosure provides a semiconductor devicemanufacturing method that may reduce the number of manufacturingprocesses, prevent damage such as cracking and chipping of a substratewhen a back face of the substrate is ground, and may achieve a thinnersubstrate.

A first aspect of the present disclosure is a semiconductor deviceincluding: a substrate including, in a central portion of a main face ofthe substrate, n first element formation regions having a rectangularflat plane shape and are arrayed along a first direction, and n+m secondelement formation regions having the same shape as the first elementformation regions and are arrayed along the first direction and adjacentto the first element formation regions in a second directionintersecting the first direction; plural projecting electrodes formed ateach of the first element formation regions and at each of the secondelement formation regions; and plural dummy projecting electrodesformed, at a peripheral portion of the main face, overlapping a triangledefined by a first edge of the first element formation region that formsa boundary between the first element formation region and the peripheralportion, and a second edge of the second element formation region, thesecond edge being adjacent to a corner of the first edge and that formsa boundary between the second element formation region and theperipheral portion.

A second aspect of the present disclosure is a semiconductor devicemanufacturing method including: preparing a substrate including, in acentral portion of a main face of the substrate, n first elementformation regions having a rectangular flat plane shape and are arrayedalong a first direction, and n+m second element formation regions havingthe same shape as the first element formation regions and are arrayedalong the first direction and adjacent to the first element formationregions in a second direction intersecting the first direction; formingplural projecting electrodes at each of the first element formationregions and at each of the second element formation regions, andforming, at a peripheral portion of the main face, plural dummyprojecting electrodes so as to overlap a triangle, the triangle definedby a first edge of the first element formation region that forms aboundary between the first element formation region and the peripheralportion, and a second edge of the second element formation region, thesecond edge being adjacent to a corner of the first edge and that formsa boundary between the second element formation region and theperipheral portion; adhering a protective tape across the entire mainface of the substrate so as to cover the projecting electrodes and thedummy projecting electrodes; and, grinding, in a state in which theprotective tape are adhered, a back face of the substrate opposite themain face so as to thinner a thickness of the substrate.

According to the above first aspect, the present disclosure may providea semiconductor device that may prevent cracking and chipping at aperipheral portion of a substrate, and that may prevent damage toprojecting electrodes.

According to the above second aspect, the present disclosure may providea semiconductor device manufacturing method that may reduce the numberof manufacturing processes, prevent damage such as cracking and chippingof a substrate when a back face of the substrate is ground, and mayachieve a thinner substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described indetail based on the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view taken alongline A-A in FIG. 3) of relevant portions of a semiconductor deviceaccording to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the entire semiconductor deviceillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view (an enlarged plan view of the region Bsurrounded by dashed lines in FIG. 2) illustrating relevant portions ofthe semiconductor device illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1 to explain amanufacturing method of a semiconductor device according to the firstexemplary embodiment, and illustrates a first process;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second process;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a third process;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth process;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a fifth process;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a sixth process;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a seventh process;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an eighth process;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a ninth process;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an eleventh process;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a twelfth process;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a process illustratingrelevant portions of a semiconductor device according to the firstexemplary embodiment during back grinding;

FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view of a semiconductor device correspondingto FIG. 2, to explain a relationship between grinding marks formed byback grinding and placement positions of dummy projecting electrodes ina manufacturing method of a semiconductor device according to the firstexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a process illustratingrelevant portions of a semiconductor device according to a comparativeexample during back grinding;

FIG. 18 is a graph illustrating a relationship between substratethickness and a damage occurrence rate during back grinding in amanufacturing method of a semiconductor device according to the firstexemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 19 is an enlarged plan view corresponding to FIG. 3, illustratingrelevant portions of a semiconductor device according to a secondexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Explanation follows regarding a semiconductor device and a semiconductordevice manufacturing method according to exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure, with reference to the drawings. In each of theexemplary embodiments, functional elements having substantiallyequivalent functions are allocated the same reference numerals, andduplicate explanation thereof is omitted.

First Exemplary Embodiment

Explanation follows regarding a semiconductor device and a semiconductordevice manufacturing method according to a first exemplary embodiment ofthe present disclosure, with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 18. Here, anexample is described in which the semiconductor device and thesemiconductor device manufacturing method according to the firstexemplary embodiment are applied to a semiconductor device and amanufacturing method thereof with a wafer level chip size packagestructure.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, a semiconductor device 10 accordingto the present exemplary embodiment includes a semiconductor wafer 12,serving as a substrate. In the present exemplary embodiment, a siliconsingle crystal wafer is employed as the semiconductor wafer 12. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, in plan view, the semiconductor wafer 12 isformed in a circular shape. A portion of the circumference of thesemiconductor wafer 12 (at the bottom side in FIG. 2) is formed with anorientation flat 12C that is employed for positioning during manufactureand transportation. The semiconductor wafer 12 is, for example, set witha thickness of from 600 μm to 650 μm prior to back grinding, describedlater. The semiconductor wafer 12 is thinned to a thickness of 200 μm orlower, and preferably 150 μm or lower, after back grinding.

Plural element formation regions 20, each having the same rectangularflat plane shape that forms the basis of a repeating pattern, arearrayed in a first direction and a second direction intersecting thefirst direction in a central portion 14 of a main face 12A of thesemiconductor wafer 12. An integrated circuit including at least one outof a logic circuit or a memory circuit (not illustrated in the drawings)is formed in each of the element formation regions 20. The integratedcircuits are configured including switching elements, resistors,capacitors, and wiring. The plural element formation regions 20 areeither formed as a semiconductor device 10 that is cut into chips bydicing (dicing machining) the semiconductor wafer 12, or are formed as awafer level semiconductor device 10 in which the semiconductor wafer 12is left intact. Note that the first direction corresponds to the Xdirection illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, and is, for example, a rowdirection. The second direction corresponds to the Y directionorthogonal to the X direction, and is, for example, a column direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, n of the element formation regions 20, from anelement formation region 20 (1, 1) to an element formation region 20 (1,n) serving as first element formation regions, are arrayed along thefirst direction in a first tier, this being an uppermost tier of thecentral portion 14 of the semiconductor wafer 12. Note that, n is aninteger other than zero. There is no limitation to the value of n,however n is set to 6 in the present exemplary embodiment. n+m of theelement formation regions 20, from an element formation region 20 (2, 1)to an element formation region 20 (2, n+m) serving as second elementformation regions, are arrayed in the first direction in a second tier,configuring the next tier adjacent to the first element formation regionin the second direction. m is an integer other than zero, and is set to2 in the present exemplary embodiment. In cases in which the value of mis an even number such as 2 or 4, array pitch of the element formationregion 20 (2, 1) to the element formation region 20 (2, n+m) in thefirst direction would be the same array pitch of the element formationregion 20 (1, 1) to the element formation region 20 (1, n) in the firstdirection. In cases in which the value of m is an odd number such as 1or 3, the array pitch are offset therefrom by half the array pitch.

n+m+o of the element formation regions 20, from an element formationregion 20 (3, 1) to an element formation region 20 (3, n+m+o) serving asthird element formation regions, are arrayed in the first direction in athird tier that is adjacent to the second element formation regions inthe second direction. o is an integer other than zero, and is set to 2in the present exemplary embodiment. n+m+o+p of the element formationregions 20, from an element formation region 20 (4, 1) to an elementformation region 20 (4, n+m+o+p) serving as fourth element formationregions, are arrayed in a fourth tier that is adjacent to third elementformation regions in the second direction. p is an integer other thanzero, and is set to 2 in the present exemplary embodiment.

The layout relationship between the element formation regions 20 in thefirst tier and the element formation regions 20 in the second tiermatches the layout relationship between the element formation regions 20in the second tier and the element formation regions 20 in the thirdtier, since the number of element formation regions 20 simply increasesby m or o along the first direction in the next tier. Moreover, thelayout relationship between the element formation regions 20 in thesecond tier and the element formation regions 20 in the third tiermatches the layout relationship between the element formation regions 20in the third tier and the element formation regions 20 in the fourthtier, since the number element formation regions 20 simply increases byo or p along the first direction in the next tier. Accordingly, thelayout relationship between the element formation regions 20 in thesecond tier and the element formation regions 20 in the third tier, andthe layout relationship between the element formation regions 20 in thethird tier and the element formation regions 20 in the fourth tier,match the layout relationships between the element formation regions 20in the first tier and the element formation regions 20 in the secondtier. Namely, the element formation regions 20 in a higher tier may beregarded as first element formation regions, and the element formationregions 20 in a lower tier thereto may be regarded as second elementformation regions.

n+m+o+p of the element formation regions 20, from an element formationregion 20 (5, 1) to an element formation region 20 (5, n+m+o+p), andn+m+o+p of the element formation regions 20 from an element formationregion 20 (9, 1) to an element formation region 20 (9, n+m+o+p), arerespectively arrayed in a fifth tier, that is adjacent in the seconddirection to the element formation regions 20 in the fourth tier,through to a ninth tier. The number of the element formation regions 20arrayed along the first direction in each of the fifth tier to the ninthtier is set the same as the number of the element formation regions 20arrayed along the first direction in the fourth tier.

n+m+o of the element formation regions 20, from an element formationregion 20 (10, 1) to an element formation region 20 (10, n+m+o), arearrayed in a tenth tier that is adjacent in the second direction to theelement formation regions 20 in the ninth tier. n+m of the elementformation regions 20, from an element formation region 20 (11, 1) to anelement formation region 20 (11, n+m), are arrayed in an eleventh tierthat is adjacent in the second direction to the element formationregions 20 in the tenth tier. n of the element formation regions 20,from an element formation region 20 (12, 1) to an element formationregion 20 (12, n), are arrayed in a twelfth tier, this being a finaltier, that is adjacent in the second direction to the element formationregions 20 in the eleventh tier. The layout relationship between theelement formation regions 20 in the ninth tier to the element formationregions 20 in the twelfth tier is equivalent to the layout relationshipbetween the element formation regions 20 in the first tier to theelement formation regions 20 in the fourth tier (on progression from thebottom toward the top of FIG. 2), except for being inverted with respectto the second direction.

In the semiconductor device 10 configured in this manner, a large numberof the rectangular shaped element formation regions 20 can be arrayed onthe main face 12A of the circular shaped semiconductor wafer 12. Thisthereby enables the main face 12A of the semiconductor wafer 12 to beeffectively utilized.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, plural electrodes 32 are arrayed on theintegrated circuits in each of the element formation regions 20 on themain face 12A of the semiconductor wafer 12, with an inter-layerinsulation layer 30 interposed between the integrated circuits and theelectrodes 32. The electrodes 32 are what are referred to as bondingpads, and are electrically connected to the integrated circuits (notillustrated in the drawings) through wiring. The electrodes 32 are, forexample, formed mainly from aluminum (Al) alloy layer. Redistributionlines 38 are disposed over the electrodes 32, with a surface protectionlayer 34 and an inter-layer insulation layer 36 interposed between theredistribution lines 38 and the electrodes 32. The redistribution lines38 are electrically connected to the electrodes 32 via connection holes(see 36H in FIG. 5). In the present exemplary embodiment, as illustratedin FIG. 7, the redistribution lines 38 are formed from a composite filmincluding a lowermost layer of an undercoat metal layer 38A, anintermediate layer of an anti-oxidation layer 38B, and an uppermostlayer of a metal layer 38C, respectively layered in this sequence. Atitanium (Ti) layer, for example, is employed for the undercoat metallayer 38A. A copper (Cu) layer or a Cu alloy layer, for example, isemployed for the anti-oxidation layer 38B. A Cu layer or a Cu alloylayer, for example, is employed for the metal layer 38C. Note that, Cuhas a lower specific resistance value than the specific resistance valueof the Al.

Returning to FIG. 1, a sealing resin layer 40 is formed so as to coverthe redistribution lines 38 across the entire region of the main face12A of the semiconductor wafer 12. Column shaped external electrode pads42, which are electrically connected to the redistribution lines 38 andthat serve as a final wiring layer, are embedded in the sealing resinlayer 40 above the redistribution lines 38. The external electrode pads42 are, for example, formed from a Cu layer or Cu alloy layer.

Plural projecting electrodes (bump electrodes) 44 that are electricallyconnected to the external electrode pads 42 are formed on the externalelectrode pads 42 corresponding to each of the respective externalelectrode pads 42. Note that, in the semiconductor device 10 of thepresent exemplary embodiment, each of the element formation regions 20is formed as a Ball Grid Array package, in which the ball shapedprojecting electrodes 44 are arrayed. As illustrated in FIG. 3, theprojecting electrodes 44 are regularly arrayed in the first directionand the second direction. Since the external electrode pads 42 areprovided directly below the projecting electrodes 44, the externalelectrode pads 42 are regularly arrayed in the first direction and thesecond direction, similarly to the array of the projecting electrodes44. These regular arrays of the projecting electrodes 44 and theexternal electrode pads 42 are laid out by wiring the redistributionlines 38 from the electrodes 32. In the present exemplary embodiment,solder bump electrodes are employed as the projecting electrodes 44.Note that Cu bump electrodes or stud shaped bump electrodes may beemployed as the projecting electrodes 44.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, plural dummy projecting electrodes44D are arrayed at a peripheral portion 16 of the main face 12A of thesemiconductor wafer 12. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the dummy projectingelectrodes 44D are arrayed in the peripheral portion 16 so as to overlapa triangle 60. The triangle 60 is defined by a first edge (right side)20A of the element formation region 20 (1, n) forming a boundary withthe peripheral portion 16, and a second edge (upper edge) 20B of theelement formation region 20 (2, n+m) that is adjacent to a corner 20C ofthe first edge 20A and forming a boundary with the peripheral portion16. To aid understanding, the triangle 60 is indicated by hatching inthe drawings. In the present exemplary embodiment, the triangle 60 isset as an isosceles right triangle, since the element formation regions20 has a square shape such that the first edge 20A and the second edge20B are set with equal lengths, and the corner 20C has an internal angleof 90°. Note that the meaning of “overlapping” here encompasses cases inwhich, when seen in plan view, the dummy projecting electrodes 44D fallwithin the outline of the triangle 60, and also encompasses cases inwhich the dummy projecting electrodes 44D partially overlap with ahypotenuse 20D of the triangle 60.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the dummy projecting electrodes 44D have thesame structure, and are formed from the same material, as the projectingelectrodes 44 of the element formation regions 20. An array spacing ofthe dummy projecting electrodes 44D is set so as to match an arrayspacing of the projecting electrodes 44. As will be explained in themanufacturing method of the semiconductor device 10, described later,the dummy projecting electrodes 44D are formed by the same manufacturingprocesses as the manufacturing processes of the projecting electrodes 44(see FIG. 12). Dummy electrode pads 42D and dummy redistribution lines38D are provided directly below the dummy projecting electrodes 44D. Thedummy electrode pads 42D have the same structure, are formed from thesame material, and are formed by the same manufacturing processes, asthe external electrode pads 42 (see FIG. 10). Similarly, the dummyredistribution lines 38D have the same structure, are formed from thesame material, and are formed by the same manufacturing processes, asthe redistribution lines 38 (see FIG. 6 to FIG. 8).

In the present exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the dummyelectrode pads 42D are also arrayed in a region within the peripheralportion 16 but outside the triangles 60. Front faces of these dummyelectrode pads 42D are exposed, but are not formed with the dummyprojecting electrodes 44D. Accordingly, the dummy projecting electrodes44D may be arrayed efficiently so as to reduce component costs andreduce manufacturing costs by reducing the arrayed number of dummyprojecting electrodes 44D that are unnecessary for electricalconfiguration.

Returning to FIG. 3, the dummy projecting electrodes 44D are alsoarrayed in the peripheral portion 16 so as to overlap a triangle 60. Thetriangle 60 is defined by a first edge (right edge) 20A of the elementformation region 20 (2, n+m) forming a boundary with the peripheralportion 16, and a second edge (upper edge) 20B of the element formationregion 20 (3, n+m+o) that is adjacent to a corner 20C of the first edge20A and forms a boundary with the peripheral portion 16. Although notillustrated in the drawings, the dummy projecting electrodes 44D arealso arrayed in the peripheral portion 16 so as to overlap a triangle 60defined by a first edge (right edge) 20A of the element formation region20 (3, n+m+o) forming a boundary with the peripheral portion 16, and asecond edge (upper edge) 20B of the element formation region 20 (4,n+m+o+p) that is adjacent to a corner 20C of the first edge 20A andforming a boundary with the peripheral portion 16.

Although not described in detail, the dummy projecting electrodes 44Dare also arrayed overlapping respective triangles 60 formed in theperipheral portion 16 by the element formation region 20 (1, 1) to theelement formation region 20 (4, 1), and the element formation region 20(9, 1) to the element formation region 20 (12, 1), as illustrated inFIG. 2. Similarly, the dummy projecting electrodes 44D are also arrayedin the peripheral portion 16 so as to overlap respective triangles 60formed by the element formation region 20 (9, n+m+o+p) to the elementformation region 20 (12, n).

Note that, in cases in which, for example, array pitch of the elementformation regions 20 in the first tier and array pitch of the elementformation regions 20 in the second tier are offset from each other byhalf the array pitch in the first direction (in cases in which m is anodd number), the triangles 60 are right-angled triangles in which thelength of the second edge 20B would become half the length of the firstedge 20A. Even in such case, Plural dummy projecting electrodes 44D arearrayed overlapping the triangles 60 in the peripheral portion 16.Moreover, the dummy projecting electrodes 44D are arrayed similarly incases in which the element formation regions 20 are rectangular flatplane shaped.

The semiconductor device 10 according to the present exemplaryembodiment is manufactured as described below. First, the semiconductorwafer 12 is prepared with a thickness of, for example, 600 μm to 650 μm(see FIG. 4). The plural rectangular flat plane shaped element formationregions 20, not illustrated in FIG. 4, are formed regularly along thefirst direction and the second direction in the central portion 14 ofthe main face 12A of the semiconductor wafer 12. Next, the inter-layerinsulation layer 30 is formed over the entire main face 12A, includingboth the central portion 14 and the peripheral portion 16. Theinter-layer insulation layer 30 is, for example, formed by a singlelayer film of a silicon oxide film or a silicon nitride film, or isformed by a composite film of both a silicon oxide film and a siliconnitride film.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the electrodes 32 and wiring, not illustratedin the drawings, are formed in the element formation regions 20 at thecentral portion 14. The electrodes 32 are, for example, formed using asputtering method, and are formed principally from an Al alloy layer.The electrodes 32 are patterned using photolithography technology oretching technology. Next, the surface protection layer 34 covering theelectrodes 32, and the inter-layer insulation layer 36, are formed insequence over the entire main face 12A. The surface protection layer 34is, for example, formed using plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD),and formed by a silicon nitride film. The inter-layer insulation layer36 is, for example, formed using a spin coating method, and formed by alight-sensitive resin film. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the inter-layerinsulation layer 36 is selectively removed above the electrodes 32 toform the connection holes 36H, in which front faces of the electrodes 32are exposed. The connection holes 36H are formed using photolithographytechnology or etching technology.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the undercoat metal layer 38A and theanti-oxidation layer 38B are respectively layered in sequence over theentire inter-layer insulation layer 36. The undercoat metal layer 38Aand the anti-oxidation layer 38B are, for example, formed using asputtering method. The undercoat metal layer 38A is electricallyconnected to the electrodes 32 via the connection holes 36H.

Next, a mask 46 with a pattern corresponding to the redistribution lines38 is formed over the anti-oxidation layer 38B (see FIG. 7). Forexample, a resist film is employed as the mask 46. The resist film isformed using photolithography technology. Note that, the mask 46 isformed with a pattern of holes (not allocated reference numbers) overthe element formation regions 20, and also in regions of the peripheralportion 16 overlapping the triangles 60 described above (the formationregion of the dummy redistribution lines 38D). As illustrated in FIG. 7,an electroplating method employing the antioxidant layer 38B as anelectrode is used to form the metal layer 38C over the antioxidant layer38B exposed through the mask 46. Forming the metal layer 38C completesformation of the redistribution lines 38 in which the undercoat metallayer 38A, the anti-oxidation layer 38B, and the metal layer 38C arelayered in the element formation regions 20. Moreover, the dummyredistribution lines 38D are formed using the same manufacturingprocesses as the manufacturing processes of the redistribution lines 38,and with the same structure as the redistribution lines 38. The mask 46is then removed, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Note that, in thismanufacturing step, between the plural redistribution lines 38, betweenthe plural dummy redistribution lines 38D, and between theredistribution lines 38 and the dummy redistribution lines 38D are inelectrically connected states through the undercoat metal layer 38A andthe anti-oxidation layer 38B.

Next, a mask 48 is formed over the entire main face 12A so as to coverthe redistribution lines 38 and the dummy redistribution lines 38D (seeFIG. 9). In the mask 48, holes 48H are formed so as to penetratetherethrough, at positions over the redistribution lines 38 and thedummy redistribution lines 38D that configure a formation region for theprojecting electrodes 44. For example, in the present exemplaryembodiment, a resist film is employed as the mask 48. The resist film isformed using photolithography technology. As illustrated in FIG. 9, anelectroplating method employing the redistribution lines 38(specifically, the metal layer 38C) as electrodes is used to form thecolumn shaped external electrode pads 42 on the redistribution lines 38exposed through the holes 48H in the mask 48. The column shaped dummyelectrode pads 42D are formed on the dummy redistribution lines 38Dexposed through the holes 48H in the mask 48 during the samemanufacturing process as the manufacturing process of the externalelectrode pads 42. The mask 48 is then removed, as illustrated in FIG.10.

Next, the sealing resin layer 40 that has a thicker film thickness thanthe film thickness of the external electrode pads 42 and the dummyelectrode pads 42D is formed over the entire main face 12A, so as tocover the external electrode pads 42 and the dummy electrode pads 42D(see FIG. 11). The sealing resin layer 40 protects the redistributionlines 38, the electrodes 32, and the integrated circuits below theexternal electrode pads 42. As illustrated in FIG. 11, a portion of thethickness of the sealing resin layer 40 is removed from a front face soas to expose front faces of the external electrode pads 42 and the dummyelectrode pads 42D. For example, grinding using a grinder, or a ChemicalMechanical Polishing (CMP) method is employed to remove the sealingresin layer 40. The external electrode pads 42 and the dummy electrodepads 42D embedded in the sealing resin layer 40 are accordingly formedduring the same manufacturing processes as each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, in the element formation regions 20 theprojecting electrodes 44 are formed on the external electrode pads 42 soas to be electrically connected to the external electrode pads 42.During the same manufacturing process as the manufacturing process ofthe projecting electrodes 44, the dummy projecting electrodes 44D areformed on the dummy electrode pads 42D so as to be electricallyconnected to the dummy electrode pads 42D overlapping the triangles 60of the peripheral portion 16 illustrated in FIG. 3. Although front facesof the dummy electrode pads 42D are also exposed in regions that do notoverlap the triangles 60 of the peripheral portion 16, in themanufacturing method of the semiconductor device 10 according to thepresent exemplary embodiment, the dummy projecting electrodes 44D arenot formed on these dummy electrode pads 42D.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, a protective tape 50 used during backgrinding is adhered so as to cover the projecting electrodes 44 and thedummy projecting electrodes 44D over the entire main face 12A of thesemiconductor wafer 12. The protective tape 50 protects the projectingelectrodes 44, as well as the external electrode pads 42, theredistribution lines 38, the electrodes 32, the integrated circuits, andthe like in layers below the projecting electrodes 44 when back grindinga back face 12B (see FIG. 1) of the semiconductor wafer 12 to thin thethickness of the semiconductor wafer 12. Although its cross-sectionalview structure is not described in detail, in the present exemplaryembodiment, the protective tape 50 has a dual-layer structure includinga tape shaped resin film serving as a substrate, and an ultraviolet (UV)cured adhesive layer formed on a surface on the projecting electrode 44side of the resin film. Note that a polyolefin resin film with athickness of, for example, 180 μm to 220 μm and having a function ofallowing UV to pass through may be employed as the resin film of theprotective tape 50. Moreover, an acrylic resin layer having a thicknessof, for example, 110 μm to 150 μm may be employed as the adhesive layer.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the semiconductor wafer 12 is inverted,and a back grinding wheel 52 is employed to perform back grinding of theback face 12B of the semiconductor wafer 12 in an adhered state of theprotective tape 50. In the present exemplary embodiment, the back face12B is thereby ground such that the thickness of the semiconductor wafer12 is thinned to 200 μm or less, and preferably to approximately 150 μm.

During back grinding, a grindstone 54 of the back grinding wheel 52contacts the back face 12B of the semiconductor wafer 12, and thegrindstone 54 rotates relative to the semiconductor wafer 12. The backface 12B is accordingly ground, and the thickness of the semiconductorwafer 12 is made thinner. When this is performed, as illustrated in FIG.2, FIG. 3, FIG. 15, and FIG. 16, numerous grinding marks (saw marks) 12Dare formed on the back face 12B of the semiconductor wafer 12 from thecenter toward the circumference of the semiconductor wafer 12, formingcircular arc shapes. Note that, although FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 16illustrate the semiconductor wafer 12 as viewed from the main face 12Aside, the grinding marks 12D formed in the back face 12B are shown as ifprojected onto the main face 12A. To aid understanding, FIG. 2 and FIG.3 only show one of the grinding marks (saw marks) 12D that areillustrated in FIG. 16.

In a semiconductor device according to a comparative example, asillustrated in FIG. 17, the projecting electrodes 44 are arrayed acrossthe central portion 14. However, the projecting electrodes 44 are notdisposed in the peripheral portion 16, and end at the boundary betweenthe central portion 14 and the peripheral portion 16 on the main face12A of the semiconductor wafer 12 (for example, corresponding to thefirst edge 20A illustrated in FIG. 3). The boundary is a dividing linebetween the peripheral portion 16 and the element formation regions 20disposed furthest to the peripheral portion 16 side of the centralportion 14, and also corresponds to outermost dicing lines. In regionsA1 to A4 illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 16, where the positions of theplural projecting electrodes 44 arrayed furthest to the peripheralportion 16 side, along the boundary, and the grinding marks 12Dextending along the boundary, are aligned in the thickness direction ofthe semiconductor wafer 12, are vulnerable to damages such as crackingand chipping of the semiconductor wafer 12. As illustrated in FIG. 17,during back grinding, an extension and contraction amount of theprotective tape 50 in the thickness direction of the protective tape 50as a result of a load F received from the grindstone 54, differsaccording to whether or not the projecting electrodes 44 are present.Namely, the thickness direction extension and contraction amount of theprotective tape 50 is larger in the peripheral portion 16, where theprojecting electrodes 44 are not disposed, than in the central portion14, where the projecting electrodes 44 are disposed. Accordingly, adeflection amount of the peripheral portion 16 of the semiconductorwafer 12 due to the load F is larger than a deflection amount in thecentral portion 14. Stress therefore concentrates at the boundaryportions due to the different deflection amounts.

Accordingly, in the semiconductor device 10 and the semiconductor devicemanufacturing method according to the present exemplary embodiment, asillustrated in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 13, FIG. 15, and FIG. 16, the dummyprojecting electrodes 44D are formed in the peripheral portion 16adjacent to the first edge 20A where a boundary is formed with theelement formation region 20. In particular, in the present exemplaryembodiment, the dummy projecting electrodes 44D are formed, for example,overlapping the triangle 60 formed by the first edge 20A of the elementformation region 20 (1, n) and the second edge 20B of the elementformation region 20 (2, n+m) that is adjacent in the second directionand offset by the specific array pitch in the first direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, in a region that superimpose with thegrinding marks 12D, the dummy projecting electrodes 44D are formed andarrayed in the peripheral portion 16 so as to continue on from theprojecting electrodes 44 in the element formation regions 20. Namely, inthe present exemplary embodiment, the thickness direction extension andcontraction amount of the protective tape 50 due to the load F receivedfrom the grindstone 54 is made to be uniform in the element formationregions 20 and in the peripheral portion 16. Accordingly, a deflectionamount (i.e. there is rigidity) in the peripheral portion 16 of thesemiconductor wafer 12 becomes small. Thus, the present exemplaryembodiment may suppress stress from arising at the boundary portions,and may prevent damages such as cracking and chipping to occur in theperipheral portion 16 of the main face 12A of the semiconductor wafer12.

FIG. 18 illustrates a relationship between the thickness of thesemiconductor wafer 12 after back grinding, and the rate of occurrenceof damage, such as cracking and chipping, in the peripheral portion 16of the semiconductor wafer 12. The horizontal axis shows the thickness(μm) of the semiconductor wafer 12 after back grinding. The verticalaxis shows the damage occurrence rate (%) in the peripheral portion 16of the semiconductor wafer 12. As illustrated in FIG. 18, a sharpincrease in the damage occurrence rate would be expected in a case inwhich the thickness of the semiconductor wafer 12 after back grindingfalls below 200 μm. At a thickness of 200 μm, the damage occurrence rateis 0.6% to 0.7%. At a thickness of 150 μm, the damage occurrence ratereaches close to 20%. Accordingly, the substrate manufacturing methodaccording to the present exemplary embodiment may be effective in a casein which the present exemplary embodiment is applied to a semiconductorwafer 12 with a thickness of 200 μm or lower, and is particularlyeffective in a case in which the present exemplary embodiment is appliedto a semiconductor wafer 12 with a thickness of 150 μm or lower.

Returning to the manufacturing method, the semiconductor wafer 12 isinverted a second time, and the protective tape 50 is irradiated with UVto lower the adhesive force of the adhesive layer of the protective tape50. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the protective tape 50 is peeledaway from the main face 12A of the semiconductor wafer 12. When thisseries of manufacturing processes is completed, the semiconductor device10 configured using the thinned semiconductor wafer 12 illustrated inFIG. 1 is complete.

The semiconductor device 10 is then employed as a semiconductor devicewith a wafer level chip size package structure. Although omitted fromthe explanation and illustrations, the semiconductor device 10 is thendiced to produce completed chip shaped semiconductor devices diced fromeach of the element formation regions 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the semiconductor device 10according to the present exemplary embodiment includes the plural dummyprojecting electrodes 44D formed in the peripheral portion 16 of themain face 12A of the semiconductor wafer 12. More specifically, thedummy projecting electrodes 44D are arrayed overlapping the triangles60, shown for convenience in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. One of the triangles 60is defined by the first edge 20A of the element formation region 20 (1,n) forming a boundary with the peripheral portion 16, and the secondedge 20B of the element formation region 20 (2, n+m) that is adjacent tothe corner 20C of the first edge 20A and forming a boundary with theperipheral portion 16. Similarly, the dummy projecting electrodes 44Dare also arrayed in the triangles 60 defined by the element formationregion 20 (2, n+m) through to the element formation region 20 (4,n+m+o+p) and the triangles 60 defined by the element formation region 20(9, n+m+o+p) through to the element formation region 20 (12, n). Thedummy projecting electrodes 44D are also arrayed in the triangles 60defined by the element formation region 20 (1, 1) through to the elementformation region 20 (4, 1), and the triangles 60 defined by the elementformation region 20 (9, 1) through to the element formation region 20(12, 1).

As illustrated in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the dummy projecting electrodes44D are arrayed in the peripheral portion 16 at least where theperipheral portion 16 runs along the extension direction of the grindingmarks 12D formed on the back face 12B of the semiconductor wafer 12during back grinding. Due to arraying the dummy projecting electrodes44D in the peripheral portion 16 to the projecting electrodes 44 in theelement formation regions 20, the extension and contraction ratio of theprotective tape 50 due to the load F received from the back grindingwheel 52 becomes uniform in both the element formation regions 20 andthe peripheral portion 16. Accordingly, the present exemplary embodimentmay reduce the deflection amount of the peripheral portion 16 of thesemiconductor wafer 12, and the stress arising in the boundary portionsbetween the central portion 14 and the peripheral portion 16 of thesemiconductor wafer 12 may be reduced. Further, since there is no needto apply separate support members to reinforce the peripheral portion 16of the semiconductor wafer 12, the present exemplary embodiment mayeliminate occurrence of contact with the projecting electrodes 44 due toapplying such support members. Accordingly, the semiconductor device 10provided according to the present exemplary embodiment may preventdamages such as cracking and chipping of the peripheral portion 16during back grinding, and may prevent damages to the projectingelectrodes 44.

Note that the manufacturing method of the semiconductor device 10according to the present exemplary embodiment encompasses the structuresof intermediate products at the following stages: the stage illustratedin FIG. 12, at which the dummy projecting electrodes 44D have beenformed in the peripheral portion 16 of the semiconductor wafer 12; thestage illustrated in FIG. 13, at which the protective tape 50 has beenadhered; the stage illustrated in FIG. 15 at which back grinding isperformed; and the stage illustrated in FIG. 14 in which the protectivetape 50 is peeled away. The stage illustrated in FIG. 1 after theprotective tape 50 has been peeled away is also included. In theintermediate product of the semiconductor device 10 after back grinding,the back face 12B of the semiconductor wafer 12 is formed with thegrinding marks 12D illustrated in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16.

In the semiconductor device 10 according to the present exemplaryembodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the dummy electrode pads 42Dconnected to the dummy projecting electrodes 44D are arrayed below thedummy projecting electrodes 44D in the peripheral portion 16. The dummyelectrode pads 42D are formed with the same structure as the externalelectrode pads 42 below the projecting electrodes 44. Note that, theadhesion force between the dummy electrode pads 42D and the dummyprojecting electrodes 44D is, for example, stronger than the adhesionforce between the sealing resin layer 40 and the dummy projectingelectrodes 44D. This thereby enables the dummy projecting electrodes 44Dto be firmly fixed. Accordingly, the dummy projecting electrodes 44D maybe prevented from breaking off, for example during the process to peelaway the protective tape 50 illustrated in FIG. 14.

In the semiconductor device 10 according to the present exemplaryembodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the dummy projecting electrodes44D are arrayed overlapping the triangles 60 in the peripheral portion16 of the main face 12A of the semiconductor wafer 12. Accordingly, thepresent exemplary embodiment may suppress the consumption of theprojecting electrode material, and may prevent damage to the peripheralportion 16 of the semiconductor wafer 12. Accordingly, in the presentexemplary embodiment, the dummy projecting electrodes 44D may beefficiently arrayed, and product costs may be reduced. Thus, themanufacturing method of the semiconductor device 10 of the presentexemplary embodiment may reduce the manufacturing costs.

In the semiconductor device 10 according to the present exemplaryembodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the dummy projecting electrodes44D are arrayed overlapping the triangles 60 in the peripheral portion16 of the main face 12A of the semiconductor wafer 12. Accordingly, inthe present exemplary embodiment, there is no need to consider theregions A1 to A4 for each low of the element formation regions 20, theregions A1 to A4 where the plural projecting electrodes 44 arrayed alongthe boundaries furthest toward the peripheral portion 16 side and thegrinding marks 12D extending along the boundaries, are aligned in thethickness direction of the semiconductor wafer 12. Accordingly, damageto the peripheral portion 16 of the semiconductor wafer 12 may beprevented, even when the grinding marks 12D are aligned with theprojecting electrodes 44. Thus, the present exemplary embodiment mayreduce the number of man hours spent on design when considering theplacement of the dummy projecting electrodes 44D.

In the semiconductor device 10 according to the present exemplaryembodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the dummy electrode pads 42D arearrayed in a region of the peripheral portion 16 of the main face 12A ofthe semiconductor wafer 12 that does not overlap the triangles 60 in theperipheral portion 16. This thereby enables the dummy projectingelectrodes 44D to be easily arrayed overlapping the triangles 60 withoutmodifying the array specifications of the dummy electrode pads 42D. Forexample, the manufacturing method of the semiconductor device 10according to the present exemplary embodiment eliminates the need tomodify the pattern of the mask 48 used to form the dummy electrode pads42D illustrated in FIG. 9.

Moreover, in the semiconductor device 10 according to the presentexemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the projectingelectrodes 44 arrayed in the element formation regions 20 areelectrically connected to the integrated circuits, specifically elementsthereof, of the element formation regions 20. However, the dummyprojecting electrodes 44D arrayed in the peripheral portion 16 are notelectrically connected to any elements. The dummy projecting electrodes44D do not require electrical functionality. Accordingly, the dummyprojecting electrodes 44D may be arrayed comparatively freely.

In the manufacturing method of the semiconductor device 10 according tothe present exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the processof forming the dummy projecting electrodes 44D in the peripheral portion16 is the same manufacturing process as the process for forming theprojecting electrodes 44 on the element formation regions 20. Thisthereby may reduce the number of manufacturing processes of thesemiconductor device 10 in comparison to cases in which the dummyprojecting electrodes 44D and the projecting electrodes 44 are formedseparately. The manufacturing method of the semiconductor device 10 mayreduce the number of manufacturing processes and may achieve a thinnersemiconductor wafer 12, while preventing damage such as cracking andchipping of the peripheral portion 16 of the semiconductor wafer 12caused when grinding the back face 12B of the semiconductor wafer 12.

In the manufacturing method of the semiconductor device 10 of thepresent exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, therespective processes for forming the dummy redistribution lines 38D andthe dummy electrode pads 42D are the same manufacturing processes as therespective processes for forming the redistribution lines 38 and theexternal electrode pads 42. Accordingly, the present exemplaryembodiment may enable a further reduction in the manufacturing processesof the semiconductor device 10.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

Explanation follows regarding a semiconductor device 10 and asemiconductor device manufacturing method according to a secondexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, with reference to FIG.19.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, in the semiconductor device 10 according tothe present exemplary embodiment, the dummy electrode pads 42D are notarrayed in the peripheral portion 16 of the main face 12A of thesemiconductor wafer 12 in the regions that do not overlap the triangles60. A front face of the sealing resin layer 40 (see FIG. 1) is exposedin these regions. Note that, in the present exemplary embodiment, thedummy redistribution lines 38D (see FIG. 1) may or may not be arrayedbelow the dummy electrode pads 42D. Configurations other than that ofthe dummy electrode pads 42D are similar to those of the semiconductordevice 10 and the semiconductor device manufacturing method according tothe first exemplary embodiment.

Accordingly, the semiconductor device 10 and the semiconductor devicemanufacturing method according to the present exemplary embodiment mayobtain similar operation and effects obtained by the semiconductordevice 10 and the semiconductor device manufacturing method according tothe first exemplary embodiment described above.

Moreover, the semiconductor device 10 and the semiconductor devicemanufacturing method according to the present exemplary embodiment mayreduce in the electrode material used for the dummy electrode pads 42D.This thereby may enable a further reduction in product costs andmanufacturing costs.

Other Exemplary Embodiments

The present disclosure is not limited by the exemplary embodimentsdescribed above. For example, the exemplary embodiments described aboveemploy a semiconductor wafer as a substrate. However, the presentdisclosure may employ a compound semiconductor substrate, a resinsubstrate, a glass substrate, or the like as a substrate.

What is claimed is:
 1. A semiconductor device comprising: a substrateincluding, in a central portion of a main face of the substrate, n firstelement formation regions having a rectangular flat plane shape andarrayed along a first direction, and n+m second element formationregions having the same shape as the first element formation regions andarrayed along the first direction and adjacent to the first elementformation regions in a second direction intersecting the firstdirection; a plurality of projecting electrodes formed at each of thefirst element formation regions and at each of the second elementformation regions; a first row of dummy projecting electrodes arrayed,at a peripheral portion of the main face, in the second direction alonga first edge of the first element formation regions that forms aboundary between the first element formation regions and the peripheralportion; and a second row of dummy projecting electrodes arrayed, at aperipheral portion of the main face, in the first direction along asecond edge of the second element formation regions that forms aboundary between the second element formation regions and the peripheralportion, wherein the first row of dummy projecting electrodes opposes arow of the plurality of projecting electrodes that are arrayed along thesecond direction in the first element formation regions with the firstedge therebetween, and wherein the second row of dummy projectingelectrodes opposes a row of the plurality of projecting electrodes thatare arrayed along the first direction in the second element formationregions with the second edge therebetween.
 2. The semiconductor deviceof claim 1, wherein: the first row of dummy projecting electrodes andthe row of the plurality of projecting electrodes, that are arrayedalong the second direction in the first element formation regions withthe first edge therebetween, run parallel to each other, and the secondrow of dummy projecting electrodes and the row of the plurality ofprojecting electrodes, that are arrayed along the first direction in thesecond element formation regions with the second edge therebetween, runparallel to each other.
 3. The semiconductor device of claim 1, whereingrinding marks are formed extending along the first row of dummyprojecting electrodes or along the second row of dummy projectingelectrodes on a back face of the substrate that is opposite to the mainface.
 4. The semiconductor device of claim 1, further comprising: aplurality of external electrode pads arrayed in each of the firstelement formation regions and in each of the second element formationregions, each external electrode pad being provided below a projectingelectrode and being electrically connected to the projecting electrode;and a plurality of dummy electrode pads arrayed in the peripheralportion, each dummy electrode pad being connected to a dummy projectingelectrode of the first row of dummy projecting electrodes or to a dummyprojecting electrode of the second row of dummy projecting electrodes.5. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein: each of the projectingelectrodes is electrically connected to an element formed in the firstelement formation regions or in the second element formation regions;and the dummy projecting electrodes are not electrically connected tothe elements.